Summary:  The Next Big Thing is an entrepreneurial idea competition designed to help identify and foster entrepreneurial ventures.  This pilot program is a partnership between the E-Center in Phillipsburg and K-State University Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship.

Program Activities:

• Four hour professional development seminar on entrepreneurship education/contest preparation for area high school teachers
• Access to resource rich website for contestants and teachers
• Facilitation of competition and judging at K-State cmapus
• Certificate of Completion for eligible particpants
• Winners featured at Celebration of Entrepreneurship banquet

For Eligibility and Guidelines, click into this document:  NBT Eligibility and Guidelines (3)

Information on the teachers training: Teacher Training at the E-Center

To register your school to participate in this program, please feel out the information below.  Event One would be if you are participating in the training at the E-Center and Event two would be the Competition on K-State Campus.  

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the town
Not a retailer was stirring, not even the ones who normally frown,
The stockings were hung by the Courthouse with care,
In hopes an emerging Entrepreneur soon would be there.

Angel Investors were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of profits danced in their heads.
I had come back to work for just one special reason,
To see if someone else was working on a “start-up”
During Christmas Season.

When out on the street there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my desk to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the curtains and threw up the sash.

The street was covered with what I assumed to be snow
And in the middle was something trying to grow,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a new innovator in some crazy looking gear.

Who was talking so fast, I thought I had hit some switch,
Then realized it was just a new manager
Working on her elevator pitch!
More rapid than panthers, with a bazillion things to do
She whistled, cartwheeled and then lost her shoe!

“Now, to examine needs! Now, problems to help overcome!
On taking risks! On, the rewards to be done!
On, researching! On, goal setting and persistence!
This emerging entrepreneur is ready to go the distance!

To the top of Kansas Commerce!
To the top of Forbes list!
Now is the time to develop a new Phillips County Business in this town full of bliss!”

Wishing you and your family a very blessed and Merry Christmas,

 Board and Staff
Entrepreneurial Center (E-Center)
& Phillips County Community Foundation

©BridgitSmith, E-Center 2012

 The classes will be offered in the E-Center at the Fischer Building, at 6:30 p.m. lasting two to three hours each Wednesday and will be divided over a ten week period – ending on March 20^th, 2013.

 Wondering what makes this course so unique?! All classes are instructed by local professionals, accountants, insurance agents, small business owners and community development directors, you know – the people that truly know what they are talking about!

 This course is for the entrepreneur who wants to start his or her own business and for the individual(s) who has an established small business and would like to see that business grow and prosper! Topics cover deciding on a business, creating your business plan, financing, accounting, licences and permits and much more!

Over half of the graduates from last year’s course have gone on to starting their own businesses, and we are anxious to provide this opportunity once again to possibly help you start yours! Main Street is currently in the planning stages and are trying to determine if there is enough interest – if you are someone you know is interested in starting their own business, please contact Kera Nuckolls, director for Discover Phillipsburg Main Street, at the office at 785-540-4284 or dpmainstreet@ruraltel.net.

 Cost of course is $200.00, includes textbook and materials.

Venture Kansas

“Do you think you have the next BIG Thing?” 

Has been postponed until a later date….Be Watching for the announcement of the new dates!

Select organizations had the opportunity to present proposals for the CRA – eligible community and economic development projects in the Kansas market to an audience of representatives from banks, philanthropies and government agencies.

Out of thirty proposals submitted, the E-Center proposal was one of eight selected to participate in this event.  E-Center was honored to be selected.  From the event, new connects were made and additional information given to funders interested in the E-Center’s regional youth program, Planting Seeds for the Future.

For more information on the Entrepreneurial Center or Planting Seeds for the Future program, contact Bridgit Smith, director of the E-Center at 785-540-4110.

The camp incorporated the EntrepreneurShip Investigation (ESI) curriculum into its activities. ESI is an exciting, interactive, and comprehensive curriculum project designed for youth, ages 10 – 19. ESI is truly a pioneer in the field of youth entrepreneurship education.

The campers started the week investigating what an entrepreneur is. Campers learned that an entrepreneur is a person who takes the risk to start and run a business and that they discover and create new products and services and bring them to the market.  The youth then learned about themselves. By taking the Clifton Youth StrengthsExplorer, each camper discovered the top three entrepreneurial skills they already had to offer their own business. The list of those skills included:  caring, relating, achieving, organizer, future thinker, competing, presence, dependability, or discovered.

After distinguishing what an entrepreneur was as well as the skills they each already possessed, the campers were introduced to four youth who have owned over thirty businesses in the last ten years.  This family of entrepreneur’s lives in Holdrege, NE. These young business owners shared about their businesses, which range from breeding puppies, selling jewelry to distributing Wild Dutchman Sunflower seeds.  More information on this family can be found at www.4realkids.com

Another part of the camp included learning about our community. The campers viewed historic photos and studied the history of Phillipsburg. They found out what’s changed in our rural town and began to think through where their place was in this changing world. In learning more about both our town and entrepreneurs, the campers toured locally owned businesses; The Shepherd’s Mill, Sign Solutions and Ultimate Image.  Also, each day the youth ate lunch in one of our locally owned eating establishments, Third Street Bakery, The Chubby Pickle Shelly Ann’s and Willer’s. Accounts from Mapes & Miller CPA instructed the youth on copyright laws and taxes.

As the week progressed each of the youth developed a product to sell, came up with a name for their business, and developed a tagline and logo.  In order to promote their business and the ESI MarketPlace, the youth made a one page promotional flyer and distributed them throughout the community.

On Thursday, a film crew from Baltimore, Maryland was in town and filmed the ESI camp activities that day. They were filming for the National Rural Economic Development Affiliation. Their video will focus on Youth Retention and Recruitment efforts. Offering this class is a key component to the retention of youth in our rural areas of Kansas!

 An accumulation of all the students’ hard work and determination came to fruition on Friday, June 8^th.  Out of the thirteen students, there were twelve businesses developed and these youth businesses were highlighted at the ESI MarketPlace. The MarketPlace was held from noon to 1:30 pm. in the Bill Clarke building located in downtown Phillipsburg.  The youth entrepreneurs were selling their products. Examples of the businesses are Madi’s Memories: Tiles by a Teen, Quacky Accessories: Diva Duck Wear and InstaWater: Save money, Live Better.  The MarketPlace as well as the ESI was overall a success.

One of the students summed up the week by stating, “I liked this camp because I’m learning to become an entrepreneur and hope to start my own business someday.”

This partnership was partially funded by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation through the E-Center, Discover Phillipsburg Main Street and the Foundation for Rural Services.

For more information on the EntrepreneurShip Investigation Camp or to have a youth entrepreneur and the camp facilitator speak to your group contact Bridgit Smith, E-Center Director at 785-540-4110.

Training Cost:
The cost is $10.00 per session or all 3 session for $25.00. Please submit payment to the E-Center by mail at PO Box 508, Phillipsburg, KS. 67661. or drop it by the Phillips County Community Foundation office.

College Credit:
The training is eligible for college credit through Northwest Tech.  Students electing to receive college credit must complete additional coursework online.  The cost per credit hours is $120.00 for the 2012 – 2013 academic year.

The sessions and tracks are as follows:

BASIC  sessions:

iPad Basics
Cloud Computing and the iPad
Business Integration

INTERMEDIATE Sessions:

Cloud Computing & the iPad
Classroom Integration
Video & Photo on the iPad

ADVANCED sessions:

Classroom Integration
Video & Photo on the iPad
Introduction to App Development

Participants have the option to mix and match the different sessions.  You are NOT obligated to attend all sessions under one track.  If you need basic in one area, then intermediate or advanced in other, you can jump tracks!

It assure a seat for these sessions, register below.  This will take you to a link on Northwest Tech website.

https://nwktc.wufoo.com/forms/ecenter-ipad-training-registration/

The ESI summer camp may just be what these teenagers are looking for.  With the success of the EntrepreneurShip Investigation (ESI) Youth Entrepreneur pilot program which was taught at the Phillipsburg Middle School this last semester, Discover Phillipsburg Main Street and the E-Center in Phillipsburg will again be partnering to provide this camp.

This camp will incorporate the ESI materials into its activities. The ESI is an exciting, interactive, and comprehensive curriculum project designed for youth, ages 10 – 19. ESI is truly a pioneer in the field of youth entrepreneurship education.  It was developed with four audiences in mind: 4 – H clubs, middle and high schools, youth and community organizations.

Campers will be grouped together by interest and will use handout materials and computers to investigate potential business ideas.  They will take their business ideas and actually purchase the materials necessary to produce a product during camp.  As they produce a small supply of these products they will learn more about entrepreneurship build their leadership skills and hone their passions.  A business showcase will be held on the last day of camp to sell the products that they have made.

EntrepreneurShip Investigation camp is scheduled for June 5th through the 8th (Tuesday through Friday) from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. It will be held at the E-Center in Phillipsburg.

The camp is open to students who have completed 5^th through 10^th grades, and is limited to 15 students. Camper’s lunches, curriculum and instructor fees will be provided by the grant funds. This camp is funded in part by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and the Foundation for Rural Services.

Cost of the camp is $75.00 per camper.  NOW OFFERING A 60% DISCOUNT TO THOSE STUDENTS REGISTERED BY JUNE 1ST. (These funds will be used to purchase the supplies the youth needs to develop his/her product.)

To register for this camp see the registration form BELOW  the camp schedule  or contact Bridgit Smith, E-Center Director at 785-540-4110.

Day 1 – June 5, Tuesday – Investigating an Entrepreneur

9:00 a.m. – Welcome to ESI Camp!
9:15 a.m. – Ice Breaker
9:30 a.m. – An Entrepreneur Beginning
Investigating Yourself (What Talents Do I Have?)
Assess my Talents & Interests
What’s It Take to Be an Entrepreneur?
9:45 a.m. – Investigating the Entrepreneur Profile
10:00 a.m. –     Meet an Entrepreneur – 4 Real Kids http://www.4realkids.com/
*Raising Entrepreneurs and Lifelong Leaders*
11:00 a.m. – Investigating Who Is Down the Block
11:40 a.m. – Investigating the Risks
12:00 p.m. – LUNCH – SUBWAY (Learn about the business)
12:45 p.m. – Peeking Into the Future
1:00 p.m.  -  What’s Changed?  Google Earth
1:45 p.m.  – I’m Bored, Our Community Needs This
2:00 p.m. –  Break
2:15 p.m. -  Uncovering My New Business
2:45 p.m. –  Diggin Deeper Into My Business and Choose Your Business Idea
3:00 p.m. – Homeward Bound!

Day 2 – June 6, Wednesday – The Case of Me and Designing the Product

9:00 a.m. – Is This My Conscience I Hear Talking?

• Where Do You Stand
• Building My Reputation

YOU Can Make A Difference
Playing the Part
Selling Yourself and Your Ideas
Customer Service

10:00 a.m. – BREAK
10:15 a.m. – Starting Your Business
Expanding Your Business Idea

• Why this?
• Write a business description
• Identify competitive advantage
• Who is the target audience?
• Where will your customers be?

Brainstorm Business Name, Slogan and Logo
Test out several names and select one

11:30 am – LUNCH – Third Street Bakery
12:45 p.m. – Develop, print one page promotion flyer to distribute on square & home town
1:00 p.m. – Create Your Product Supply List (PARENTS Please NOTE!)
Registration fee funds of $75.00 will be used to purchase these supplies
1:30 p.m. – Field Trip of The Shepherd’s Mill
2: 45 p.m. – Back to E-Center (Questions?)
3:00 p.m. – Homeward bound

Day 3 – June 7, Thursday – Your Business Inspection

9:00 a.m. – Accountant’s
Copyright, taxes, legal stuff
9:30 a.m. – Overview of Financing and Pricing –
10:00 a.m. – Product development (1 ½ hrs) –

• Work one on one on product and costs.
• Spend time assembling and making product

11:30 a.m. – LUNCH –Pizza Hut
12:30 p.m. – Continue with Product Development interjecting the info below:
Collecting and Organizing Clues

• Finding Your GPD
• Tracking Your Business Expenses
• The Income Statement
• Create Your Balance Sheet
• Going with the Cash flow
• Writing a check
• Completing a receipt
• Keeping Records

1:45 p.m. – Break
2:00 p.m. – Field Trip

• Sign Solutions
• Ultimate Image

2:45 – Let’s Celebrate! You are now an ESI Explorer
3:00 p.m. – Homeward Bound

 Day 4 – June 8, Friday – ESI Showcase 

9:00 a.m. – Product Development (1 ½ hrs)

• Work on products
• No Place Like Kansas
• Explore jobs in Kansas vs. other places in US

11:00 a.m. – Review YOU Can Make a Difference & Selling Yourself

• Customer Service, greeting customer, making change, filling receipts, etc.
• Receipt books
• Cash boxes

11:10 a.m. – Set Up for ESI Market (Location – 747 4^th Street – Bill Clarke Building)
11:20- Lunch on site today and set up (Willer’s cater)
12:00- 1:30 p.m. – ESI Market Place (Sidewalk on square)
1:45 p.m. – Now It’s Time to Determine Profit & Loss AND Pay the Bills
2:45 p.m. – Congratulations!  Graduation party.
3:00 p.m. – Homeward Bound

On June 20th, 2012  in a 3 – hour workshop hosted by Discover Phillipsburg Main Street, Jon Schallert explains how business reinvention is critical for small business survival and how reinventing ones business into a Consumer Destination is the most profitable path for an independent business owner. The registration cost for this national recognized training workshop  is $55.00 which includes lunch. If you are a past boot camp attendee or an employee of one, cost for this workshop is $30.00.

To create this workshop, Jon interviewed the top owners of Destination Businesses in the country who survived the worldwide recession, and through reinvention, came out stronger and more profitable than before. Jon will show examples of the major changes these owners made to their businesses, including both strategic and tactical changes that allowed them to succeed.

Attendees will hear inspiring stories of business owners who reinvented their businesses, but they
will also leave with a concrete list of changes they will want to make to their businesses.

Attendees will also learn:

• Why business reinvention is more than making a few small changes to one’s business
• The five “Marketing Foundations” that consumers of today find credible, and why typical advertising isn’t on the list
• The one question that must be answered before you’ll ever beat a larger competitor
• How to use several little-known resources that pull in top customers for minimal dollars
• How to use your company’s history to pull the media and customers to your business
• How one can spend less time on using social media while elevating your business as an “expert” in your field
• How to get a customer to love your business in the first 7 seconds after they enter your doors
• How to use discount marketing that maintains profit margins and cements customer loyalty, if you absolutely insist on using discount marketing
• How to leverage one asset in your business that no one else has, that will instantly set your business and interior décor apart from your competition
• How to add real value to your business so when you decide to sell it, you get the largest possible payoff

Following this 3-hour workshop, Jon will answer business questions from the audience in a Marketing Roundtable discussion.

Jon Schallert is the only consultant in the world teaching businesses and communities how to reinvent themselves into “Consumer Destinations”.  Jon speaks to thousands annually on his proprietary 14-step Destination Business strategy which he developed after more than twenty six years of on-site consultations with small business owners.

Owners also learn Jon’s Destination principles by attending his 2½ day Destination Business BootCamp in Colorado, and by participating in his online training network, Destination University

June 20th Schedule:

Registration/Check-In:  7:30 – 8:30:

Workshop begins:           8:30 – 10:00 a.m.              Part 1
Break                                    10:00 – 10:15 a.m.
Workshop continues:     10:15 – 11:45 a.m.            Part 2
Lunch Break:                      12 noon – 1 p.m  (Included in registration)
Marketing Roundtable: 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Pre-register below.  (You only need to fill out one event box for Business Reinvention Workshop)

Please send registration fee to:
Discover Phillipsburg Main Street, P.O. Box 87, Phillipsburg, KS. 67661
***For Past Boot Camp Attendees when submitting payment, please list business name and date you attended BOOT CAMP!